Abstract
This narrative review reports on the currently insufficient intake of iodine and the
iodine status of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Germany, Europe, and worldwide,
as well as presenting the associated risks, particularly for children’s neurocognitive
and psychomotor development. The responsibility of public health bodies to introduce
appropriate measures which will ensure adequate iodine intake for all population groups
and to monitor their implementation, especially during pregnancy and lactation which
are particularly critical periods for the unborn child and the breastfed infant, is
emphasized. Based on recent studies, the current national recommendations for iodine
supplementation are reviewed, and the benefits and drawbacks of necessary measures
to improve iodine intake for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children are
discussed. The most important iodine prophylaxis method – even during pregnancy and
lactation – remains universal salt iodization. If this approach to improve widespread
iodine intake is not feasible, the AKJ recommends that especially women of reproductive
age should take continuous iodine supplements, starting at least three months prior
to conception and continuing throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Keywords
iodine prophylaxis - women of childbearing age - pregnancy - breastfeeding - infants
